Gamers!

Short Story Collection: Chapter 2 – Fantasia 2017 Short Story

“The sakura isn’t blossoming.”

“What?”

One day, this conversation can be heard from a lousy classroom after school.

The 5 guys and girls are talking about games passionately as usual.

Right now, we’re chatting about gal games, I can’t help but say something baffling to others.

I quickly explained.

“Think about it, most gal games started the story in April, right? Well, this way, reasonably, sakura should blossom everywhere.”

“It’s ubiquitous. It’s throbbing to see sakura floating around when you meet with the female protagonist.”

My friend, Uehara-kun, nodded in agreement.

However, I suddenly frowned and cut right into the chase.

“But we live in the north, so sakura blossom in May.”

“Ah-“

Everyone came to their realization.

Now, a blonde and talented girl, my girlfriend – Karen Tendou-san, took over and continued.

“It’s not just gal games. I think every scene in those titles is always based in Kanto.”

“But that’s just because the stage is set in Kanto, right?”

The gal that doesn’t play games – Aguri-san. She’s just as accurate as usual.

“Well…”

I answered.

“I’m not really complaining about it. It’s just that, as a resident in Hokkaido, I feel like that doesn’t resonate with me.”

Upon hearing that, this time, the lonely gamer that belonged in the moe-hating faction – Chiaki Hoshinomori spoke up.

“Well, how should the story development goes to satisfy you, Keita?”

“Hmm? Let me think about it. There should be sakura and legitimate northern elements…”

I thought about it and scrambled my brain for a prologue.

“For example, {In May, on a flower appreciation party where a bunch of local drunkards is dancing naked, I finally met with her}?”

“It’s not romantic at all!”

Everyone gave me a negative review.

“I was just trying to be realistic…”

“I would throw this gal game away within 5 minutes! I don’t care what kind of story it will be when it started with a description of naked old men!”

“It’s fine, Uehara-kun. During the epilogue, whenever the story shows the memory of your first meeting with the female protagonist, there would be a description of a naked old man!”

“I’m even less interested!”

“There’s an illustration!”

“Are you trying to blind me!?”

Everyone in the Hobby Club complained about me.

…This is strange. I spent a lot of time thinking about this.

Chiaki sighed as she spoke up.

“Keita, you don’t need to focus on sakura blossoms, right? Even if we’re in Hokkaido, can’t we just start the story normally in April?”

“Ah, I see. Well, come to think of it…”

I tried once again and imagined a story that’s based on realistic depictions of the north.

“April. The northern lands are suddenly under an intense blizzard. I, Keita Amano, …found out her cold body under a thick and wet layer of snow…”

“Bad end!”

Everyone brutally complained about me.

Aguri-san rejected my idea furiously.

“Indeed, we do get snow when the school’s opening up! But why must the female protagonist die!? This is too weird, right?”

“Weird? No. In the setting, her head was hit by an icicle on the roof when she’s clearing the snow. Unfortunately, the snow kept piling up when she fainted. Then, she remained undiscovered until freezing to death. …What’s wrong with a realistic story like this?”

“What kind of realism are you looking after!?”

This is strange. People praise games that are somewhat realistic, right?

I expressed my confusion. After that, Tendou-san spoke up restlessly for some reason.

“Amano-kun. Actually, …we don’t really need to start the northern story in April or May. …I think June is pretty good as well…”

“June? No, Tendou-san. In this industry, the latest that the male and female protagonist can meet is May…”

Just as I’m saying that, Tendou-san’s face blushed. …She slightly pouted and told me this.

“Didn’t Amano-kun and I meet in June?”

“I see. June is the best.”

I nodded my head forcefully before starting to look at Tendou-san’s eyes lovingly. Then-

“K. Dismiss.”

-The other three people said that emotionlessly and simultaneously. The Hobby Club meeting of today suddenly ended like this.